One often-overlooked detail is the APA appendix.

An APA appendix allows you to include supplemental information in your paper without cluttering the main text.

APA format is the official writing style used by theAmerican Psychological Association.

Student writing an appendix

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This format dictates how academic and professional papers should be structured and formatted.

Does Your Paper Need an APA Appendix?

Not every APA-style paper needs an appendix.

The first step you oughta take is to determine if one is necessary.

Only include what will help readers gain insight and understanding, not clutter or unnecessary confusion.

Think of it as the “bonus” section.

This information supports your point, but your reader doesn’t need it to understand your points or findings.

The appendices should always act as a supplement to your paper.

The body of your paper should be able to stand alone and fully describe your research or your arguments.

The body of your paper should not be dependent upon what is in the appendices.

An APA appendix should follow the overall rules on how to format text.

A descriptive title should follow and should also be bolded and centered.

As with other pages in your paper, your APA format appendix should be left-aligned and double-spaced.

Each page should include a page number in the top right corner.

For example, Table A1 would be the first table in Appendix A.

Individual instructors or publications may have their own specific requirements.

Placing it incorrectly can disrupt the flow of your paper and confuse readers.

If your paper requires an appendix, it should be the very last page of your finished paper.

Never include an appendix containing information that is not referred to in your text.

American Psychological Association.Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Seventh Edition (2020).

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.).

Washington DC: The American Psychological Association; 2020.